Because he had a strong family history of cancer, Donald Abercrombie always thought the disease might be in his future. But he never guessed he would get cancer at 62.

"It seemed awfully early in life to have cancer," he said.

After experiencing trouble urinating, Abercrombie was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He had been healthy all his life.

"This was the first time in my entire life I was a patient in a hospital," he said. "I wasn't even born in a hospital."

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate, which is located in men below the bladder and in front of the rectum, begin to grow out of control. It is the second leading cause of cancer death among men, exceeded only by lung cancer.

The disease usually strikes older men; more than 70 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65. Early detection of prostate cancer is important and can save lives, according to the American Cancer Society.

Abercrombie sought treatment from Pat Fulgham, M.D., a urologist on the medical staff at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. The news was not good. Abercrombie's biopsy showed that the cancer was present in a large percentage of both lobes of his prostate. The cancer had grown right to the edges of his prostate, but had not traveled into his lymph nodes. There was about a 40 percent chance he could be cured, according to Fulgham.

"I told Pat, ‘God has put you in this position as a physician, and I'm going to rely on you,'" Abercrombie said.

Fulgham was impressed by his patient's upbeat outlook.

"Mr. Abercrombie has a positive attitude and was confident he could be cured despite the statistics that said otherwise," Fulgham said.

Once he received his diagnosis, Abercrombie talked with Fulgham about his treatment options. Prostate cancer can be treated in a number of ways, including surgery, radiation therapy, radioactive seed implant and hormone therapy. The treatment decision can sometimes be difficult, depending on a patient's views about some potential side effects of treatment, among them impotence and incontinence.

Because of the severity of his disease, Abercrombie took a no-nonsense approach.

"I told Pat to go ahead and get in there and take everything out," he said.

Abercrombie underwent a radical prostatectomy, where the entire prostate gland and some surrounding tissue was removed. He was in the hospital for three days and was up and around at home a few days later.

His surgery was followed by radiation therapy at Texas Health Dallas, a treatment where high-energy rays are used to help kill any remaining cancer cells. Monday through Friday for seven weeks, Abercrombie went to the hospital for the treatments.

"I didn't have any side effects, and the whole thing only took about 20 to 30 minutes," he said. "The worst part was just driving through traffic to get to the hospital."

Throughout his treatment, Abercrombie felt greatly supported by his wife, family and friends. Fulgham views this as a key in how Abercrombie emotionally dealt with his cancer.

"Mr. Abercrombie involved family and received support from them. This helped keep him from feeling isolated," he said.

Although Fulgham is not ready to declare him cured, Abercrombie is doing well at this point and only has to have PSA blood tests every six months to watch for any signs of a return.

Fulgham credits Abercrombie's attitude for his success in battling cancer. "If a person has the conviction that they are going to do well in treatment, it can help contribute to a positive outcome," he said.

Abercrombie has returned to his life as a "house husband" (he's retired), and he deals with the side effects of the surgery with his characteristic good humor. He spends his time caring for his mother, who has Alzheimer's disease, and he enjoys painting, yard work and sailing.

"I tell men with prostate cancer that it's not the end of your life," he said.

Fulgham says that Abercrombie can be an encouragement to other men facing the disease.

"With prostate cancer, the earlier the diagnosis, the better prospects a man has to be cured," he said. "In Mr. Abercrombie's case, you can see that even if the disease is advanced, it can still be treated."

For more information on cancer services, call 1-877-THRWell (1-877-847-9355).